Everything you need to know about everything

From the four corners of the world and the endless streams of my RSS feeds, here’s the world At Large this morning:

What are you, a rocket scientist?

Hackers attacked Los Alamos and Oak Ridge using highly sophisticated, fool-proof techniques that would baffle a normal computer user — they sent booby-trapped e-mails, some numbskulls opened them, and the hackers went phishing through the networks of the allegedly secure networks of our nation’s most secretive research facilities. So much for the nation’s brain trust.

This isn’t the first time these places have been compromised. Los Alamos, in particular, has more security issues than a guy grooming his arm hair.

I’ve never liked Fark. Professional jealousy? Nah. It’s just not funny. It consists of miles and miles of Internet clichés and inside jokes.

Now the nerds who write rip-roaring, original headlines such as “Routine traffic stop in Alberta nets RCMP officer $1,000,000 worth of marijuana. Best. Mountie. Christmas. Party. Evar” are trying to trademark the acronym for “Not Safe For Work.”

The site’s owner hints that the whole story may be an elaborate joke. That’d be a first — something funny on Fark.

Sony Ericsson has applied for a patent for a system that will allow users to motion, within a certain range of their wireless phone, and the phone will react accordingly. I use my phone while I’m driving. I wonder what the middle finger will make my phone do?

Amazon’s cool gadget, which downloads books and newspapers wirelessly, does not work everywhere. In fact, according to a tech support call detailed in the link, the company neglects to mention that there are entire states where the Kindle won’t work as advertised.

A filmmaker has produced a documentary that, semi-satirically, argues that graffiti removal creates its own unique form of art. It’s an interesting concept, and further proof that art is a scam. You can cough up something hideous and, if you’re a smooth talker, claim that it’s art. I’m going to claim “art” the next time I’m stopped for speeding.

Starbucks is recalling mugs sold at its stores because of defective design. The defect: You are so enamored with the Starbucks brand that you can pour vinegar in the mug and you will be convinced that it tastes good.